Outsell CEO Mike Wethington Selected as Entrepreneur of the Year
Mike Wethington Selected as Entrepreneur of the Year by Saint John’s University
Outsell President and CEO Michael J. Wethington has been honored by his undergraduate alma mater Saint John’s University as Entrepreneur of the Year. This award recognizes the achievements of a “Johnnie” (alumnus) who best exemplifies the ideals of entrepreneurship by starting and successfully managing one or more businesses in a way that demonstrates notable entrepreneurial characteristics and achievements while practicing Benedictine values in the workplace and in their lives. The award is bestowed by the Donald McNeely Center for Entrepreneurship of the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University.
Terri Barreiro, Director of the McNeely Center, said that Wethington was selected from among nearly 100 quality applicants.
“What really made Mike stand out to our judges was the importance and emphasis he places on strong values in the workplace,” said Barreiro. “Mike not only establishes company values at his companies, but he lives them, and leads his staff by example. As a result, those values are woven into the fabric of each company he starts. It’s a great model, and terrific proof that companies can do well by doing good.”
Wethington, a 1979 graduate of Saint John’s, believes that there is a strong correlation between company values and company performance.
“Hiring people who want to have an impact at work and in the world results in a stellar quality of workforce,” said Wethington. “Employees who always strive to ‘do the right thing’ work better both together as well as with customers, and are ultimately going to delight our clients – that’s the key to success.”
Wethington has a proven track record of building profitable, high growth businesses. He has a breadth of industry experience ranging from start-ups and emerging growth companies to large multinational corporations in the automotive, banking, computer, financial services, insurance, retail, and telecommunications industries. He is highly effective in evaluating talent to developing highly effective, rapid growth organizations.
In addition to leading Outsell, Wethington is managing partner of SynetVentures, a Minneapolis-based venture capital firm focused on bringing proven business systems and a network of experienced professionals to take innovative business opportunities to the next level. He also serves on the Board of Directors of several emerging organizations and is a former Regent of Saint John’s University. In 2012, Wethington was a finalist for the 2012 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards in the Upper Midwest.
Saint John’s University and the College of Saint Benedict is hosting an awards luncheon on September 5, 2013 to honor Wethington and two other award winners. The event is taking place at The Depot, 225 Third Avenue South, Minneapolis from 11:15am-2:00pm. To register, visit http://www.csbsju.edu/Center-for-Entrepreneurship/Entrepreneur-of-the-Year-Awards.htm.